When more important things take priority and your budget for your recreational vehicle is limited sometimes a bargain Jeep that needs TLC is just the ticket.  With bondo and man hours in ample supply Carl took ownership of this 85 CJ-7 with 130k + on the odometer in January of 98.  For the next 3 months in his spare time Carl and his brother Rick brought this rust bucket back to life.

Before any work.

There was some serious visible body cancer.  Upon removal of the diamond plate even more serious metal rot became apparent.

Body work

Replacement body sections.

Changed:

Thermostat, water pump, alternator, belts, wires, cap, rotor, battery, battery cables, voltage regulator, shocks, vaccum hoses, windshield, doors, roll bar covers, etc.

Added:

Bug screen, Hi-Lift jack, inside spare tire holder, found spare tire (exact same size and rim but no tread), Wrangler style mirrors, fire-extinguisher, Pioneer Super -Tuner II stereo, 400 watt amp., 500 watt speaker box, tachometer, roll-bar extension, etc...

Replaced:

Rear fenders, rear floor, body mounts(1 inch), floor under seats, removed rear seat, wind-shield, doors, all hood latches, removed wind-shield washer filler, Hunter Green paint (Painted by my brother, Rick),etc...

After phase one...

In these photo's it's missing it's smashed windshield which was soon replaced.

Future Plans:

4"(inch) suspension lift, winch, soft top, engine re-build, rear lockers, bike rack, storage compartments for tools and extra parts, 33" tires, etc...

WITH OUT MY BROTHER RICK, ALL OF THE ABOVE WORK WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH RICK!!!!!!!

Toyota FJ Cruiser